There are some very good reasons why sub-compact single-stack 9mm pistols are the most popular self-defense handguns on the market today. They are easy to conceal and comfortable to carry all day, but you still get the effectiveness of a full power service cartridge. The downside is that most of these pistols deliver recoil that’s right on the edge of what most shooters can reasonably control. That affects speed and accuracy and can even make practicing with these guns feel like a chore sometimes. The Walther PPS M2 is as close as you’ll find to an exception to that rule. It shoots like a small, lightweight 9mm, but it’s far easier to handle than most, while still being practical for everyday carry. My full review is in the video below, or you can scroll down for the blogified version.
There are three pistols that I typically recommend as being the best of the ultra-compact 9mm’s: the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield, the Glock 43, and the Walther PPS. Out of those three, the PPS delivers the least amount of recoil and is by far the easiest to shoot, but it’s got a couple of quirks that make it less than ideal for a lot of people. Last year, Walther addressed those issues with the updated PPS M2.
PPS M2 Features and Upgrades
The most substantial change was the mag release. For the M2, Walther switched from a paddle style mag release on the trigger guard to a more traditional mag release button on the frame like what most of us are used to.
Walther also discarded the removable backstraps that would disable the gun when removed and replaced them with a completely re-contoured grip that feels less blocky and, I think, is more ergonomically sound. The frame could use more aggressive texture to help maintain a secure grip, but that could be said of almost any of these small pistols. Fortunately, it’s easy enough to remedy this with some grip tape like the offerings from Talon grips. The front strap still has finger grooves, which I’m not a big fan of, but they are fairly subtle and shouldn’t get in the way for most people.
I was glad to see that my favorite feature from the original PPS remained on the M2 and that’s the striker indicator. When the trigger is pulled, a small rod-like piece protrudes from the backplate on the slide. This is so you can put your thumb on the back of the slide when you re-holster and if something were to catch your trigger like a drawstring or a piece of your shirt, the striker indicator will poke you in the thumb to let you know something is wrong before you get an unexpected bang. A large percentage of unintentional discharges occur when re-holstering the gun, and this feature goes a long way toward preventing that possibility if you take advantage of it.
Another feature that sets apart the PPS M2 from its competitors is the magazines. Walther makes 6-round flush fit mags as well as 7 and 8-round extended magazines. As far as I know, Walther is one of the only companies offering a single stack 9mm with factory magazines in three different sizes and capacities. The only real downside here is that the M2 is not compatible with magazines from the original PPS. The standard PPS M2 ships with one 6-round and one 7-round magazine. The PPS M2 LE Edition, which is the version Walther loaned us to review, includes those two magazines in addition to an 8-round mag.
Like most modern pistols, the PPS M2 is equipped with three-dot sights with a rear sight that is drift-adjustable for windage (although I have blacked out the rear dots with a sharpie for my evaluation). The white dots on the LE edition are “phosphorescent”, which is really just a fancy term for “glow-in-the-dark.” They will glow for a short time after being exposed to light, but they do not provide constant low-light illumination like true tritium night sights. Either of the factory sight options is completely usable, but there are plenty of aftermarket sight options if you prefer a different setup.
A Shootable Slim 9mm
I’ve got just over 1300 rounds through this PPS M2 with no malfunctions. I cleaned and lubed it when I first took it out of the box, and haven’t done any maintenance since. It does have some weak ejection patterns with lower pressure FMJ range ammo and sometimes the spent casings end up hitting me in the top of the head rather than flying off to the right. It’s a minor annoyance but the gun has functioned fine otherwise.
I mentioned that the PPS is easier to shoot than other 9mms of this size, and I would attribute that to less felt recoil and a grip with more surface area. This gun is just the slightest bit larger than most of its competitors. It’s probably bigger than what you would consider a pocket pistol. But that extra size makes it easier to hang onto and there is just less movement when the gun goes off.
I also think the trigger is better than most, especially after the first couple hundred rounds. It breaks around 6.5 pounds and has a more consistent feel than other striker-fired triggers. It’s not amazing or anything, but for small pistols like this, the bar is set pretty low for a decent trigger. The bottom line is that it’s easier to get a good clean trigger press without disturbing the sights on the PPS M2 than it is with other pistols in this category.
Walther PPS M2 Tested
So how much of a difference are we talking about? You might get some idea from looking at our ongoing handgun scoreboard. When I ran the Walther PPS M2 through the official Lucky Gunner Handgun Performance Test (check out this post for details and course of fire), I managed to get a final score of 40.48 which is almost exactly halfway between the current top and bottom scores on the list (the number one spot is currently occupied by the Wilson/Beretta 92G Compact Carry at 34.84 and the lowest score of 45.60 belongs to the Glock 43). I haven’t run many other small sub-compact handguns through the test yet, but the Walther is looking pretty good so far. It was clearly a better performer for me than the Glock 43, even though I didn’t quite manage to top any of the full size or compact handgun scores.
| Walther PPS M2 9mm Technical Specs | |
| Barrel Length | 3.18″ |
| Overall Length | 6.3″ |
| Height | 4.4″/4.9″/5.3″ |
| Width | 1″ |
| Weight (unloaded) | 19.1 oz |
| Weight (loaded w/ 7+1) | 25 oz |
| Sights | white 3-dot, drift adjustable rear |
| Action | striker fired |
| External Safety | none |
| Ammo Capacity | 6+1/7+1/8+1 |
| Measured Trigger Pull Weight | 6.5 lbs |
| MSRP | $469 |
The 25 yard bench rest accuracy test results were decent, but not outstanding. The best 5-shot group size averages were around 4 inches with the Black Hills and HST 124 grain +P. That’s on par with what we’ve come to expect from most sub-compact pistols. Oddly enough, the American Eagle FMJ was the third most accurate load, followed by the 124 grain Gold Dot, and then the other two HST loads we tried were just not grouping that well.
This is a good opportunity to reiterate the importance of testing your carry load with your carry gun to make sure they play nice together. The PPS M2 didn’t have stellar accuracy from the bench with all of the loads we tested, but the practical accuracy is plenty adequate. As my experience with the handgun performance test demonstrated, the Walther is definitely easier to shoot accurately unsupported than most small handguns.
| Walther PPS M2 9mm 25 Yard Accuracy Test | |
| load | avg. group size |
| Black Hills 124 gr +P | 3.9″ |
| Federal 124 gr HST +P | 4.2″ |
| American Eagle 115 gr | 4.8″ |
| Speer Gold Dot 124 gr | 5.2″ |
| Federal 147 gr HST | 6.4″ |
| Federal 124 gr HST | 8.8″ |
I think it’s tough to find any major faults with this pistol except that the gun is not very left-hand friendly. The slide release is only on the left side and the mag release is not reversible. I don’t think this should be a dealbreaker for left-handed shooters who may otherwise like the PPS M2 since there are techniques that will allow lefties to run a right-handed gun just fine. But I say that as a right-handed person who doesn’t have to deal with that inconvenience, so take that with a grain of salt.
There is one minor concern a few PPS M2 owners have mentioned to me involving a small dent that appears on the barrel after running a few hundred rounds through the gun. It seems that on some PPS M2 pistols, the trigger bar contacts the rear of the barrel just below and to the right of the chamber at some point in the firing cycle. Eventually, this causes a shallow indentation to form in the barrel. The sample pistol that Walther loaned us for this review is among those that have been affected, which you can see in the photo below highlighted by the green box.
While far from ideal, I don’t have any evidence that this is anything more than just a cosmetic blemish. The review gun has not shown any change in accuracy or reliability from the first rounds fired to the last. I reached out to our contact at Walther to get their official word on the issue. They said that the indentation is just normal wear and tear, and they have not seen it lead to any functionality or performance issues with customer’s guns. If any issues do arise with a PPS M2, Walther says that it will be covered under the lifetime warranty included with all of their pistols. I typically maintain a healthy amount of skepticism when gun companies respond to these kinds of issues, but in this case, I think Walther’s claim of “normal wear and tear” is legitimate. The small mark on the barrel would not prevent me from carrying this pistol.
If you’re looking for a slim, concealable 9mm as a primary carry gun that you will still want to shoot at the range, the Walther PPS M2 is one of the best options on the market. And with the $100 rebate Walther is running until 9/15/2017, it’s also one of the most affordable.
Really like everything I read about this gun. Not concerned about 25 yard accuracy as small self defense single stacks aren’t made for super accuracy at that kind of distance and will probably never need to be used for defense at that kind of distance. With the $100 rebate going on these right now it makes them an incredible value.
As a left handed shooter, I really like the paddle style mag release. With a button mag release, I have to curl my trigger finger back to hit the button; with the paddle, I do the same basic movement but there is less curling needed. The place that the paddle release really shines, though is that it can’t get bumped while holstered unless the holster doesn’t cover the trigger guard (in which case, I wouldn’t be using that holster). The button style release can easily get bumped and drop a mag in a holster like the Dark Star Gear shown above, but the paddle style can’t. I really wish that the paddle releases were more common and accepted, but I don’t think that is likely to happen. I’ll just add it to the wish list right below my desire for pump action rifles to be more common.
How long is the trigger take up and reset? Is it more Shield/G43 like or more LC9S/Kahr like?
Also speaking of Kahr they do make 6, 7, and 8 round single stack 9mm magazines, but to my knowledge the 8rd mag does not have any fillers available to smooth out the grip when used in a 6rd gun so its not one I would necessarily want to use.
I don’t see an issue with the magazine release button. I’m a lefty; always have been. Learned long ago to press the mag release with my trigger finger; trained this way with the 1911A1 during my military career and it works! Not only releases the mag (obviously), but it also removes my finger from the trigger, reducing the potential for negligent discharge. I also have found that if I reverse the mag release (as I did on an S&W M&P 9c I have), there is a tendency for the mag release to be pressed by my IWB holster (don’t know why it doesn’t happen for right-handed carry) and accidentally dump the mag – not good. So I leave it alone and no more issues.
I was looking to buy another M&P Shield 9mm (I owned one in the past), simply because the price had dropped and the $75 rebate is/was attractive. But before I did, I happened to read this article and checked out the Walther PPS in 9mm. After comparing the Shield with the PPS at my corner LGS I decided to go with the PPS (they have a $100 rebate too).
The Shield’s grip just seems to thin for me and the ergo’s on the PPS are amazing, just right. The other three issues I have with the Shield is the 8-rnd mag sleeve can creep up, which may cause an issue. My wife could not pull back the slide (the double spring is pretty stiff), and the Shield moved in my hand due to it’s “softerish” texture.
I presently carry a G-26/43 as a “BUG”, which I really like. But I was simply looking for another option. Glad I came across your post– I have never even considered Walther, where have you guys been — thank you.
Well after taking a looonnnnng look at the Walther PPS I decided to stay with my G-43. Although I like a lot of thing about the PPS I just don’t like all of the extra plastic on the end of the 7-round and 8-round mag. I understand the why, I’m just not crazy about the execution, plus the extractor hitting the barrel is also a concern–went to the Wather Forum and many were discussing this very issue. So at this point I will pass, but I was very tempted. Thank you for this post it was very good…
I meant to say “trigger bar”, not extractor…me bad.
Chris, excellent review on the pistol. You folks do great work!
I would recommend for your review the pistol that I think is one of the best all around CCW guns on the market if you can find one. The H&K P2000SK. Magnificent weapon that has outperformed every other gun I’ve tested it against. Yes, it is a bit more pricey, but I think my family and myself are worth it.
i have been a Walther fan since my first purchase in 1978 of a PPK/S .380 Auto. I am currently running their 1st generation PPS as my daily carry weapon. i am very comfortable with the paddle mag release but would not mind the change to a button. i bought the gen1 PPS after testing against a comparable M&P and Glock.
the trigger pull was much more crisp for the PPS and it just fit my hand better. also for whatever reason the sights just seemed to fit my eye better and the gun was significantly much more accurate for me.
the $100 rebate would definately come in handy as apparently i will have to replace all of my mags since they are not compatable. (Why Walther, why?)
i am definately going to test this M2 but will probably pass as i am completely satisfied with gen1.
any thoughts out there on how this M2 compares to the 1st generation, aside from the mag elease and the grip cosmetics (trigger, sights, etc)?
The grip feels a little different. Not much change in the trigger that I could tell. If you’re happy with the original PPS, I don’t think there’s a need to get the M2.
Thanks Chris, that’s what I was taking away from your excellent review. Keep up the GREAT articles. I for 1 get a lot out of them!
My comment may not be germane to the PPS, but I’ve owned a PPQ- M1 for quite awhile now and I’ve found it to be the best of my 9’s. I own 15, 9mm semi’s: Glocks, M&P’s, Sig’s, CZ’s, HK’s, Berettas, etc.
My Walther PPQ is the best of the bunch. Great trigger, ergos and eats anything its fed (including steel cased ammo). YMMV.
The M2 is my casual carry gun for summer. In a Sticky holster at 2:30 in docker type shorts I don’t even need a belt. So easy to remove when in my truck and discreetly adjust when needed. 7 rounder loaded and 8 rd mag in pocket. I liked my original version, but the potential backstrap issue always made me nervous. I hate the grip with the 6 rd mag but it is occaisonally useful for lower profile in a pocket when I have to wear a tucked in shirt.
I agree the 7 round and 8 round magazines are more comfortable for me to shoot as well.
Because the PPS M2 is larger than the S&W, do you still recommend it over the S&W for a woman’s concealed carry or purse pistol?
Everyone’s situation is different and their needs are different. Sex has very little to do with it, so I can’t tell you which one would be a better choice without knowing the woman in question. Both the Shield and the PPS M2 are very good guns. The PPS M2 is significantly easier to shoot in my opinion, and only marginally larger. I don’t recommend carrying in a purse at all.
Thanks for you analysis, Chris. I’m sorry I didn’t give you complete info. Mary, now older…., also has “trouble with triggers”, so that made a big difference with her. She is now the proud owner of a PPS M2 to be carried in her special “carry purse”. Could not actually fire the gun before purchase, but dry fire in the store seemed to make her happy. Time at the range will tell and I’ll be sure to let you know how she made out.
Thanks always for your professional opinion on guns and ammo. I don’t know how many rely on your information, but this guy surely does.
Felix
PS: I also buy ammo…..
I hope the PPS works out for her. She may find this article helpful for purse carry: https://www.nrafamily.org/articles/2017/7/26/how-to-carry-concealed-in-a-purse-if-you-must/
Thanks Chris. I’ll let you know how the PPS M2 works out for her. If it doesn’t, I’ll have a great gun to add to my collection. Felix
Still…when you get right down to it…it is just another spin-off of the Glock design. I mean…look at that barrel pictured above.
Just curious how the barrel is a spinoff of Glock, since the Wather PP that it is basically a child of has been in production since around 1929 and Glock didn’t come into existence till 1963?
See my above response to Pat. Oh, and I’m sure you made a typo…but Glock did not come into existence in 1963….more like 20 years later.
Actually the barrel looks like Walter barrel that was around before glock ever had a firearm. Are you saying glock copied walther?
Pat…all the Walthers I know of the PP, PPK, P-38 and P5 have fixed barrels…meaning they are attached to the frame. The only other barrel which resembles Glock…is on the Walther P88….which came out in 1988…AFTER THE GLOCK DESIGN HAD HIT THE MARKET. So yeah, Glock did it first.
I bought one, when they first came out and it’s my ECG. I honed the striker contact face and got the pull down to 5.5lbs. Tried a lot of ammo at 25 yards, off a pistol rest and the best was American Eagle 147 grain FMJ, flat nosed. Able to keep groups just under 3 inches, with a few under 2.5 inches and even smaller. Incredible little gun. Carry load is Federal HST 147 grain +P.
At 25 yards, that’s great shooting.
CarrIed the pps original for two years as a back up. Switched to the M2 and it was a good weapon. The Mod 1 or original was and still is an excellent deep conceal pistol. I wore the m2 for a week under a golf shirt (tucked in with a tuckable IWB holster ) and no one noticed. I have a rather large (think defensive lineman size) friend he fell in love with the M2 in 30 rounds.
With a 6 round clip the gun is invisible , the seven round clip works if you sit the pistol on the back hip. The eight round clip is a bit big but can be managed.
Recoil is nada and ranks with the mid size 9 s I’ve shot. It’s lighter than the Shield or the glock 26 and easily manageable . The cleaning switches are a breeze to trigger (easier than the glock 26).
A girlfriend of mine was able to easily fire and reload the Mod 1 and hit at 15 meters in 9 out of 10 head shots
Thanks for the review with good info. Helped me decide on a single stack and I just picked up the M2 as a slimmer carry gun to complement my G26. With a slim body type, in some temps and in certain clothing the double stack width is tougher to conceal. I had tried a PF9 but just didn’t find it very shootable/enjoyable. The PPS is definitely my favorite of the single stacks. Ergo’s, trigger, width are all fantastic and I like the weight being about the same as the G26 because it shoots really well.
Very glad to see lucky gunner taking ND and reholstering into account. People who say “just keep your finger off the trigger,” are simply jakca$$es. Cops use glocks because they are heavily subsidized in marketing, and because cops to not have to worry about being discreet when reholstering. IWB reholstering is already inhernelty way more dangerous than duty belt. Indeed most cops never have to reholster in a car, and in my jurisdiction by law are allowed to walk into schools and all kinds of gun free zones with their firearm concealed whereas civilian carriers must unholster — and unload, and reverse the process once or twice per day. Putting a no external safety, non da/sa, thumb holdable hammer (or equivalent rod like pps m2, or less than 10lb striker into a holster in less than ideal circumstances IS A HIGHER RISK.
ND in any firearm is a low risk of occurrence — but high risk of consequence severity. and of you live in an urban area the consequences of any ND even with zero injury can included loss of CCL. My brother in law is a 25 year Virginia state cop. He had an ND while we were target shooting at his family farm in western Virginia while we were practicing IWB carry. Shot through his holster from his shirt caught. No injury. Not the type of thing that gets reported.
A cop with duty belt carry, or a cop of civilian who does not have to unholster, unload, secure, and reverse process all in a car, could be doing 1/10th or 1/100th the loaded firearm manipulation that a civilian carrier may have to do in some jurisdictions/work types. Imagine a teacher who has to draw unload, secure, and reverse all in a school parking lot.
If the risk rate is one in a million per year (and ND stats, which for civilians are a serious under-count already) and concealed carry numbers show it is higher, one in a thousand people is at 300:1 over 300 years. That is a significant risk, even if no one is hurt, of losing your licence or job.
Now of course people have to be taught that no unintended discharge is an accident. And taught finger discipline. But anyone who can say 1,000 people with great training and great discipline doing something 1,000 times have no risk is nuts.
I’ve seen many videos showing people drawing and re-holstering a CCW. If you need to draw and fire your weapon for self defense, it’s a certainty that police will be called to the scene. The LAST THING a law enforcement OFFICER wants is for you to draw your gun after re-holstering it. After firing put the gun in plain sight OUT OF YOUR HAND.
The XD-S 9 also offers three magazines sizes: 7-round (flush-fitting), 8-round, and 9-round. It offers 1 extra round of capacity while matching the Walther for overall loaded height but also add about 1 1/12 oz of weight. Either pistol is exceptional.
Not sure why Walther did away with the paddle mag release. I love that feature.
I sold my Beretta Nano. No complaints. The Walther PPS M2 will replace it.
I plan to purchase a Walther PPS M2 next week. This purchase will replace my Beretta Nano which I sold two weeks ago. No complaints about the Nano. EDC IWB at 12 O’Clock in a Remora sticky holster.